Cooking black beans is not for the impatient. It can take more than two hours of boiling the beans before they become tender. But there's always the slow cook method which is particularly convenient if you're trying to make some black bean soup. Just mix all the ingredients, turn the slow cooker on and forget all about -- at least until 8 hours or so have passed.
While I am not a fan of black beans (I am partial towards pinto beans), I just love the flavor of black bean soup, cooked and simmered with pork, sausage, tomato soup and some spices. It makes for a warm lunch or dinner -- by itself, or with steamed rice